ballack: the german team is overrated

he thinks that the german team is not that strong like the people think they are

for him the favourites are portugal, france, italy and netherlands

I agree with Ballack. I take it he was just talking to germans like yourself otto and allez, as i don't know many English people who rate the german team.

Portugal man for man have better players, whether they have a better team is another matter.

Is he just being humble and modest, a pessimist, or will Otto blame his living in England for these comments?

I don't think Germany are quite at the level of Italy in particular, but they aren't far behind and with the favourable draw for Euro 08 they have as good a chance as any team in the competition.

Ballack

There's no seperating them though tbh...France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Holland, Spain...because they are on paper the strongest.

There's always one team who causes surprises though...Romania or Croatia IMO.

Ballack is right...but then again did Germany EVER had a better team on paper then other teams??? No, they didnt!

So it means f@ck all

I think ballack just realises that while the germans have a good team, it is a team that has very little chance of actually winning the competition

Dont fall for it that easily, Germans love the underdog role. Usually before they start a tourny, the German media and the public talks the team into the ground. This way the expactations are low and so is the pressure.

Then they do well and can speak of Sommermärchens at the end of it.

c**ts

ballack lowers expectations and tries to release some of the pressure

VERY clever

he is right though: we have MANY building sites right now

Lehmann without match-practice

ditto Schweini, Poldi, Scheider, Metze, Frings....

not exactly confidence boosting stuff

+

it now becomes obvious how important HOME ADVANTAGE was in reaching 3rd at the WC

Klinsi was NOT responsible for a gigantic motivational leap at all

the German FANS were

now they are gone and the intensity of 2006 is as well

a far tougher challenge

26-Otto-19 wrote:ballack lowers expectations and tries to release some of the pressure

VERY clever

he is right though: we have MANY building sites right now

Lehmann without match-practice

ditto Schweini, Poldi, Scheider, Metze, Frings....

not exactly confidence boosting stuff

+

it now becomes obvious how important HOME ADVANTAGE was in reaching 3rd at the WC

Klinsi was NOT responsible for a gigantic motivational leap at all

the German FANS were

now they are gone and the intensity of 2006 is as well

a far tougher challenge

How reassuring it is to read a more measured / realistic post from you otto

Toni Kroos wrote:he thinks that the german team is not that strong like the people think they are

for him the favourites are portugal, france, italy and netherlands

Smart guy that Ballack. Don't believe him for a second. They are my favorites to win Euro, you heard it here two years ago already.

Having said that, in order to beat Germany, their opponents must see the Germans as if they're a crocodile. That's right! You MUST strike the croc with a baseball bat on its head BANG! and for good measure strike again. Break the fucking baseball bat on its head cracking it open if you have too.

That's the only way to beat the German team. If they sense any hesitation coming from you, they'll kill you. Like bullies they are, they'll put 10 goals past you, they won't stop at 5 or 6 goals on the minnows from San Marino.

Brasil and Italia figured them out a long time ago. They go out with their baseball bats and try to smash the croc on its head. The only way to beat them darn good Germans. Don't show any hesitation or they'll punish you. Brasil and Italia know what time it is.

It remains coffeefat watching but if we can get our team playing on the same level as we did against Croatia..I dont see why we cant win it!

Finally a good reason to go to Amsterdam then

croatioa is overrated, to win a group against england is not a benchmark

Croatia is not over-rated. They were under-rated by England and Russia who paid the price. They are a good side - not a great one, but good enough to pull a surprise. Probably won't win, but could spoil hopes of more fancied team, especially if under-estimated again. Bilic is a good young coach.

Puro wrote:

Toni Kroos wrote:he thinks that the german team is not that strong like the people think they are

for him the favourites are portugal, france, italy and netherlands

Smart guy that Ballack. Don't believe him for a second. They are my favorites to win Euro, you heard it here two years ago already.

Having said that, in order to beat Germany, their opponents must see the Germans as if they're a crocodile. That's right! You MUST strike the croc with a baseball bat on its head BANG! and for good measure strike again. Break the fucking baseball bat on its head cracking it open if you have too.

That's the only way to beat the German team. If they sense any hesitation coming from you, they'll kill you. Like bullies they are, they'll put 10 goals past you, they won't stop at 5 or 6 goals on the minnows from San Marino.

Brasil and Italia figured them out a long time ago. They go out with their baseball bats and try to smash the croc on its head. The only way to beat them darn good Germans. Don't show any hesitation or they'll punish you. Brasil and Italia know what time it is.

I have a distinct feeling Puro has had a fight with a crocodile

Toni Kroos wrote:croatioa is overrated, to win a group against england is not a benchmark

You lot havent done it in a long time

Any good links?

Apart from this one...

Ballack: "DFB-Team wird überschätzt"

http://www.sport1.de/de/sport/artikel_2173064.html

The performances haven't been (consistently) great for nearly a year, though the results have continued. Good to dampen expectations...

Which should I go for here?

a) The Non wind-up reply:

Its refreshing to hear Ballack saying this. Especially when we have the likes of Fat Frank and Michael Owen who love to blow their own trumpets and big up their team mates, Ballack knows it is best to lower expectations when you consider plenty of the German players aren't getting much time on the pitch currently.

b) The Wind - up reply:

Its clear Ballack has seen from his time outside Germany that there are a lot better players out there than his compatriots back in the Bundesliga.

I believe there might be a hint of truth in both, so I'll go for something inbetween

point b i dont think so

we know we dont have the best players in the world, but we know our players on a very high level in the whole squad in every position

Senor Woody wrote:Which should I go for here?

a) The Non wind-up reply:

Its refreshing to hear Ballack saying this. Especially when we have the likes of Fat Frank and Michael Owen who love to blow their own trumpets and big up their team mates, Ballack knows it is best to lower expectations when you consider plenty of the German players aren't getting much time on the pitch currently.

b) The Wind - up reply:

Its clear Ballack has seen from his time outside Germany that there are a lot better players out there than his compatriots back in the Bundesliga.

I believe there might be a hint of truth in both, so I'll go for something inbetween

:ale: